On the Road

There is a queue of people signing up for caravan guard duty, times are tough and none of them appear more prepared for this than you are.

The merchant sits at a table covered with papers, telling each applicant to "Make your mark, there, and there..." and handing over a copper piece as a first payment.

You hear him mutter to the stern looking guard captain standing behind him "Do we really have to tell them about the 'next of kin part'? It makes it sound so scary. Won't it drive them away?"

"If it does, we did not want them anyway." The guard captain replies. "If they are sensible," she does not add that that is probably a big 'if', "they will want to know someone will get paid if they don't make it."

• Why are you signing up?
• Who do you enter for your next of kin.

Growing up as the son of the towns blacksmith has given Leiland a strong body, and allowed him to meet many different travellers in need of good steel. Their tales of lands beyond the fields of the local farmers has given Leiland a thirst for adventure and wanderlust. He seeks to see the world.

As for next of kin, Leiland puts his mother. She will need the money Leiland might earn to train a new apprentice. Running a smithy alone is hard work.

The merchant seems surprised at Rook's demand to be buried with his pay. He glances back at the guard captain --as though for approval. She merely shrugs dismissively, so he does not object.

"Well met Rook." Leiland reaches up grasping Rook's hand, shaking it with vigor. "Exciting isn't it! The wider world awaits us! A large somewhat dopey grin splits Leiland face. "And look! They've given us money already!"

Meht, never fond of crowds, watches from a distance at first. Unlike the creatures of the forest, humans can be so unpredictable! And their small talk - why do they do that? He can never tell if they really want to know the answer or if they're subtly mocking him for his difference.

But he needs the money, and there must be a limit to how many they'll take, so eventually he overcomes his apprehension and joins the queue to make his marks.

The question about next of kin makes him pause. Since their parents passed, he should really write the name of his brother, but the two of them have never gotten along nor understood one another. The thought that what he earns might go to a man happy to cut down ancient trees to extend his farmlands is frankly pretty disgusting. But who else is there?

Resentfully, Meht writes his brother's name and steps away to see who else will sign up.

Leiland looks a little surprised but appreciative at what Oli can do."A feisty friend then." Sticking out his hand to Meht he says I am Leiland, and this is Rook. We just met, but Rook is a gregarious fellow. I am here to see the world and raise funds for my family. And you friend? What are your aims, and name besides as I did not catch yours. Though you travel with a mighty Oli."

The merchant did mention --to at least one of you-- when the caravan was to leave.
The guards were also invited to spend any nights camping near the wagons if they did not have accommodation of their own.

---

Leiland rearranges his gear hoping nothing snags on any wild growths,
"Lead on. Though I must ask is this an endeavor which requires a subtly of movement?